Changes in the MLL

[Biffman49]

With a lot of people critiquing the MLL, I would like to see some people with specific suggestions as to what the MLL can do to attract more fans. I'm hoping for some responses that are more specific than "no 2-point line, no shot clock, and bring back the pole" because those have been overstated a number of times. Let's hear 'em.

[Stopper22]

i personally love the MLL and would do nothign to change it. but yeah im afraid that is all that people ever will say to change. however i feel the league needs to do a better job with advertising, there is little to none, besides local papers writing on them, which isnt enough.

[RockStar]

MLL's problem is that its trying to get people excited about a very regional sport with a very cliquey following.

They even alienated the following by changing the game too much(with a few good things (shot clock and crosse checks) and a few bad things (two point line)).

They are then trying to draw fans right in the heart of summer vacation time.

My opinion - This league is doomed. Not that I want it to be, I just feel that it is. Its only alive until Jake decides to stop keeping it afloat.

Note that the NLL is having exactly the same growing pains. The only recent successes are Toronto, Calgary and Colorado. Only Buffalo, Rochester, and Philly have been around for 10 years or more, everything else has collapsed. Most of the recent moves/expansions are struggling, nothing else that I would call a success.

[statboy2]

Bring back the LSM and give to coaches and players more time together. This would improve the defense and quality of play in the MLL and I think it would help draw a lot of the lacrosse players who don't like the MLL because its different than NCAA and HS lax.

I like the MLL's new strategy to partner with pro soccer teams and play in a soccer stadium rather than playing in baseball stadiums. With more aggressive advertising and better venues, the MLL should draw more fans.

Also, I don't think Warrior should be the exclusive supplier of the MLL. This simply gets in the way of contracts players have with companies and pisses some players and fans off as well. If Warrior was just the official sponsor and players were ecouraged, not forced, to use their gear that would be better as well.

If I remember correctly I think that the Philly Barage practice in Long Island and meet in Long Island before taking a team bus to Philly for home games. If this is true then it needs to stop because the result is that the community and team are not as close and the attendance is poor. (The Albany Attack of the NLL did this and they got relocated to San Jose) If what I am saying is actually not true than some one just say so and you should ignore it.

[powellfan1]

The only extreme problem I see in the MLL is the Warrior supplier thing. If you look at college players who will go to the MLL, not many use Warrior heads. That is saying something. I think the reason the MLL won't change this is that it would cost them too much $ to do it. RockStar, I think the MLL will pan out like the NLL, but hopefully they won't move teams each year. Over time, the MLL will go out West. You saw in the Denver and Seattle games, the attendance was very good. I think Denver might actually be included in expansion next year.

[statboy2]

Most players in college don't use warrior heads because their teams are sponsored by STX or Brine (princeton is only warrior-sponsored team I can think of). They don't have to use heads from their sponsor but the coaches recommend it and I they probably get discounts on heads mady by their sponsor.

[Hooligan]

Attract more fans...lose the prudish edge. (explained below)

Fans at MLL games are about as removed from the action as I've ever seen for any sport. Get the fans more involved in the game, with chants and cheers...with more facets of the game than just the JoeBoxer promos.

[WingsFan]

first and foremost they need to advertise better, I have seen absolutely ZERO ads here in Philly, even in the paper, it's pathetic.

And when I do go to the games (goin tonight) it's a bunch of kids 10 and under, and it's not a normal Philly atmosphere like the Wings are.

[MontclairLax]

1. Make should make the 2 point line 5 feet back (so its 20 ft)
2. Get sponsored by Brine, STX and DeBeer. But everytime someone uses it in a game, the company will pay the league a certain amount of money (very sketchy but wat the hell).
3. Make the shot clock 55 seconds.
4. Get rid of this "The elimination of the restraining box, which allows all players to be released on the face-off." Stupidest thing in the world.
5. Bring back the pole.
6. Advertise more.

[powellfan1]

The MLL fans are actually more involved with the players than the NLL. The MLL fans go onto the field for autos with the players after games. The NLL will never do that. I think the MLL also has more hard core fans, as seen on this board.

[banditsfan85]

mll fans arent more into than nll fans, after every game fans go to a post game party WITH the players. he reason more people are diehard fans at mll games is that there are only about 3k people there every game.

[Hooligan]

PF1...go to this website: Unofficial NLL Message Board (http://www.wingszone.com/nllmb)

And the autographs on the field are not in every stadium, but even though fans are not allowed on the playing surface, the players of the NLL do make the extreme effort to meet and greet the fans after the games in the NLL as well. Stick around after a Knighthawks game sometime and see for yourself. :-)

[powellfan1]

I have stuck around after a KHawks game. It was good. Bandit, Rochester has postgame parties I believe.

[stegmakk]

Hey now...
The MLL needs to decide if it wants to bring in current lax fans (NCAA), or those that have never heard of the game, or both. That is the biggest question.
The MLL rules aren't a complete hack job of the sport, and it is still fun to watch. So when then do LI and Baltimore usually draw weaker crowds? Is it the lax purists that do not want to go? If the game was exactly like the NCAA's would they go then? Or is it that they are laxed out between NCAA, HS, and summer leagues?
People new to the sport on the otherhand, are almost gauranteed to like the sport once they see it. The big problem here is getting them to the game in the first place.
My answer is that they were hoping to focus on the non lax players and that the current fans would naturally show up. This is why the rules have been changed. You think people going to their first game want to watch stall tactics, and the ball be passed around forever? The league knows new fans want to see excitement. And to the average joe, goals and high scoring games are exciting. (think of a b-ball game with great D 78-79 versus a shoot out 109-98...which sounds more exciting).

[stegmakk]

I am not saying I agree...as I love D...but let me continue on.

The rule changes do make sense for the market they want to attract.

Now let's look at Warrior. I agree that it is not right from a player point of view. On the other hand if Warrior did not do this the league most likely would have folded by now. The exclusivity is a neccessary evil until the league can support itself. If you let Brine, STX, etc in there, the sponsorship money will decrease. Exclusivity deals can command hefty premiums.
I reiterate the average Joe fan. Will he know or care that there are other lacrosse equipment companies out there, and that they have nothing to do with the MLL? Not likely. As fans should we care? Not really. I still will buy other equipment and not find a nee to buy warrior products. So let them pay the MLL, I will still buy what equipment I like from whoever.

[stegmakk]

Last rant( for now)
The biggest problem is fans. Without attendance figures their bargaining leverage is very little for negotiating TV deals, advertisin/promotions, sponsorships etc.
Are we as fans so elitest that because of some rule changes we decide not to go, thus sealing the fate that the league will fail? That the only league will be an exact replica of the NCAAs or we won't go? Killing the league only affects the future of the sport. When I was a kid, I never dreamed of playing pro lax. It just wasn't around. Granted players do not make a ton, but they get to do what they love for a living. Do we want to snuff out all the kids dreams of playing pro ball because we are elitest snobs? Do we want to tell players like the powells, Tim Goettleman, Greg Cattrano, etc that even though they are great players, "Bah...I'd pay to watch you play REAL lacrosse, but not this other version of lacrosse...sorry you're out of a job."
Support your sport.

[Biffman49]

Very good ideas, and I especially liked what Stegmakk had to say. Having said that, I'd like to respond to what a few people have posted.

First, Philadelphia does NOT practice on Long Island. I don't know where that came up from, but you can check on their website that they practice in Philly.

Second, the whole Warrior being the only sponsor thing. I'm not a huge fan of Warrior equipment myself, but if you remember, they were the only company who was willing to put up the amount of money required to get one of the "anchor sponsorships" which does grant them exclusivity.

As for people saying that fans are removed at MLL games, I have to say that is completely false. All the teams do birthday parties where the kids meet a player they've selected who then signs autographs for the kids at the party. Plus, all the players stay after to sign autographs. Finally, all of the players go to the post game party at a local bar/restaurant where anyone can come and hang out.

About advertising, the teams have to worry about bigger things. TV and radio ads are expensive and are not guaranteed to bring in any ticket sales. With a league like the MLL, all of the advertising is grassroots. This means that they are reaching out to all of the local youth teams and planning events with local lacrosse teams/groups/etc. and getting out to the fans in an attempt to get them to the game. Think about it. Would you be more likely to go to a game if you were at a youth league clinic and some of the players from the local MLL team were there, or would you be more likely to go if you heard one radio ad? Also, the best form of advertising is word of mouth. If you had a good time at a game, tell your friends. It's a great atmosphere for families and for older (18+ and 21+) and the league can benefit from you telling your friends to go.

Stegmakk said it best when he said "Support your sport." I mean, we all get the chance to see the absolute BEST field lacrosse players play a game that we all play and love, so why not go?

[Hooligan]

Originally posted by Biffman49
First, Philadelphia does NOT practice on Long Island. I don't know where that came up from, but you can check on their website that they practice in Philly.
Wrong. Email or call the team to find out for yourself. They do infact practice on Long Island. I know for certain that if they practiced in the Philly area, the team could have several different players, that are not on the team just because its too far to make it to practice.

[Hooligan]

Originally posted by powellfan1
I have stuck around after a KHawks game. It was good. Bandit, Rochester has postgame parties I believe.
All NLL teams have post game parties. In Rochester and Philly, they can cut deep into the night.

post-game party
post-post game party
post-post-post game party breakfast
post-post-post game party breakfast hangover marathon!

LOL:laugh

God I love the NLL season!!!:angel :clap

[powellfan1]

I meant the Rattlers.

[Hooligan]

well...the Barrage have parties too :-p

[Biffman49]

Hooligan, you're right. I got the names of the field that they practice on confused and thought that there was one by the same name in Philly.

Here's to a successfull Championship Weekend in Boston. Hopefully this will be the first one that the MLL doesn't lose money on, meaning, buy your tickets now!

[WingsFan]

the MLL players are amazing, I got tons of autographs and pics with assorted Barrage and Bayhawks players after the games, including Cattrano, Sweeny, Spallina, Polanco, and one of my favs in Sonke, all amazing, very gracious ppl


EDIT- the only player I was dissapointed not to see was Ryan Boyle, who was amazing, but hopefully I can catch up w/ him before the season is over.

[boarderX]

http://www.lax.com/stories/1299

there's a good article if you guys wanna take a look at it